Alabama

Notre Dame No Longer in Bama's Class

On December 28th, 2006 Alabama played Oklahoma State in the Independence Bowl. A few days before Athletic Director Mal Moore had terminated head coach Mike Shula after a subpar season. The Tide had lost its last four out of five games to Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State, and Auburn. It gave the Tigers five straight wins, tying for the longest in Auburn history, dating back nearly fifty years. (1954-58)

Alabama's program was at one of its lowest points going into Shreveport. Moore selected defensive coordinator Joe Kines as the interim head coach. Who will ever forget his halftime interview with ESPN? I sure won't, and if you missed it, check it out on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkNT28g6YBU (If we had only stopped that inside trap). Alabama lost 34-31 on a last second field goal. Despite its lackluster year, fans showed up to support their team and came close to setting an all-time attendance record. Once again, we showed why Tide fans are the nation's best. Period.

So, why is this game of importance? Regardless of the program's state of well-being, the Crimson Tide showed up to play football. I seriously doubt there was ever any other consideration. That can't be said for Notre Dame.

Last week, Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick announced that the "Fighting Irish" were calling it quits for the 2009 season. Remember this: One, this team was bowl eligible and had a chance for a winning season. Two, this program thinks it's too good to attend a lower bowl and turned a haughty nose up to its possible destination. But never forget this: At the possibility of ending the season on a high note, instead of sucking it up and acting like champions, Notre Dame laid down and QUIT!!

So why would a devout Alabama fan care one iota about Notre Dame's gutless decision? Because of the message it sends to kids and the black mark it leaves on the game in general. Because Notre Dame should understand it's not bigger than the game and care more about preserving football's image.

There's no quitting in football. Football players should be taught to persevere, overcome adversity, rise to the occasion in the face of defeat, and not lie down and die when the going gets tough. That's nothing short of blatant cowardice.

Life's lessons are taught in football. A player's success as an individual is a direct reflection of his coach's/program's core values. The ability not to quit when facing mental or physical adversities separates winners from losers. It creates a deep self-confidence to get the job done regardless of the severity of odds.

A perfect example of courage was after the tragic plane crash on November 14th, 1970 in which 37 members of Marshall's football team were killed. Nearly the entire squad was lost for the next season and the only way Marshall could field a team in 1971 was to play freshman. Freshman were not allowed to play then, but after several attempts the NCAA granted Marshall permission. Several influential university affiliates pushed to eliminate the program entirely. But despite tragic odds and a community wrecked with grief, Marshall took the field in 1971. The Thundering Herd's courage is the epitome of what football stand for.

Quitting should never be taught, much less accepted. That's what's wrong with Notre Dame's decision not to finish the season. I don't care what the reasoning. There's no logical explanation to ever quit anything that could have a positive effect. In other words, quit smoking.... not football.

Imagine Mal Moore telling Nick Saban (like Mal tells Saban anything) in 2006 that he couldn't participate in the Independence Bowl. (Alabama was 6-6 that year just like Notre Dame). He would've exploded to the point of bursting a blood vessel. Nick Saban quit? Are you serious? Never. Because he doesn't understand the word and surely doesn't convey the possibility to his players. That's why Saban fits in so well with the Alabama program, and its fans. He's a winner. Winners stare adversity in the face, endure despite duration, and overcome past missteps in order to become successful. We have witnessed tough years granted, but I speak for most in saying, "we never gave up or lost hope in returning back to success."

Think about the people effected by Notre Dame's decision. How must the seniors feel not being able to finish their career on the field? What about the fans? My sympathy goes out to the ones who understand the importance of "finishing what they start". And for those who were ready to pack it in with Daddy Swarbucks I say, "Shame on you for teaching kids and young adults, who look up to your program, that giving up is acceptable behavior."

After all, it was the famous "Win one for the Gipper" speech by Knute Rockne that said, "Sometime, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are going wrong and the breaks are beating the boys-tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper....."

Well Mr. Swarbucks, what do you do when your teams up against it, and the breaks are beating your boys? You send them home with tails tucked between their legs.

One can only imagine Knute and the Gipper are rolling over in their graves.

I feel extremely fortunate to have been an Alabama fan my entire life. All of us are beyond lucky that, regardless of how dire the circumstances, we've never witnessed our beloved program give up on the great game of football and all it represents.

Coach Bryant instilled that in us, and Coach Saban has given it a new life of its own.

I'll leave you with a quote from our great, legendary coach.

"Losing doesn't want to make me quit. It makes me want to fight that much harder."